Well howdy, pumpkins, and happy autumn to you! It’s “officially” fall, but helloooooo, we're in Texas y'all. One day, it's hot and humid; the next, it's storming; and the next, lo and behold, you rise and shine to a lovely crisp morning. Our weather may be bi-polar, but that doesn’t mean we can’t tailgate, carve pumpkins and indulge in the flavors of fall. If you’ve been anticipating sweet treats, game-day snacks, hearty soups or elegant meals with seasonal ingredients, now’s the time to find the fall food traditions you crave at these Irving restaurants.
Visit Hugo’s Invitados for a Warm Soup-rise!
Water Street | 5240 N O’Conner Blvd | 214.496.0590
Hugo's Invitados' Tlalpeño is a traditional Mexican chicken soup, made with free-range chicken, organic Purepecha avocado, garbanzo, carrot, celery, epazote, and chipotle broth, with house-baked tortilla strips & lime juice. This big bowl of deliciousness will definitely give you the fall feels despite the outside temps on their inviting patio.
Spice Things Up at Po Melvin’s
4070 N Belt Line Rd | 972.255.3919
Gumbo is served year-round at Po Melvin’s ... and so are hearty helpings of red beans and rice and chicken 'n dumplings. I believe they are enjoyed most during the fall and winter seasons, and I know that Mel, famous for his Cajun cuisine, makes the best bowls of deliciousness in town. His menu also offers plenty of unique appetizers perfect for watching football at the bar or from the comfort of home. The time may be falling back soon, but you will want to get a jump up on Thanksgiving and pre-order your Turkey Day Dinner order will open soon. Keep their number on speed dial, 972-255-3919.
Fall into Farm-Fresh Flavors & Seasonal Sips at Whiskey Cake
3225 Regent Blvd | 469.941.2253
Whiskey Cake’s fall menu will definitely give you pumpkin to talk about. This whiskey-braised short rib with carrots, mushrooms, horseradish potatoes and pearl onions looks divine. Or maybe you’re still craving a hearty bowl of something? The spicy beef chili with smoked paprika sour cream, white cheddar and cilantro will do the trick. Would you prefer a treat? The fall line-up also includes some ooey gooey goodness and fun fall cocktails, like the HUSTLE & GRIND made with coffee-infused Buffalo Trace bourbon, Grind espresso liqueur, salted caramel syrup and cream. All of the above are best paired with a hybrid patio! Hybrid, you ask? Semi-indoor, semi-outdoor.
Grimaldi’s is Your Pick of the Patch, the Pizza Patch!
Toyota Music Factory | 100 West Las Colinas Blvd | 214.496.0337
At Grimaldi’s, the seasonal menu does not disappoint. They’re offering a traditional wedge salad and a Buffalo chicken pizza pie made with fire-braised chicken breast, Frank’s RedHot® sauce, mozzarella, gorgonzola crumbles and celery. Mmmmmm. And the fall cheesecakes are downright decadent.
No Tricks, Just Ah-mazing Treats & Eats at Knife Italian Steak
4150 N. MacArthur Blvd | 972.717.0700
Speaking of decadent … how’d you like to sink your teeth into a 20-ounce, 45-240-day dry-aged ribeye or strip loin prepared by chefs at John Tesar's Knife Italian Steak at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Las Colinas? The Neapolitan Spumoni dessert consists of layers of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry homemade gelato, strawberry gel, and amaretto crumble.
Might I also suggest a nightcap at the OUTLAW Taproom patio after dinner to get that “fall feeling.”
